Virginia universities would offer research and help on energy projects

The introduced text would establish the Virginia Clean Energy Research and Support Center, with a board, an executive director, and an advisory council. The Center would include 14 named public universities. Its 18 voting board members would include university leaders and state energy officials.

The Center would provide technical help, research, and evaluations on energy matters and collaborate with state agencies and public universities. Help would be for state agencies, planning district commissions, local governments, other public bodies, and people and businesses in Virginia, on energy related matters. At a planning district commission’s request, the Center would help develop that commission’s comprehensive energy plan. The Center would evaluate current and proposed connection requests and procedures annually.

The Center would send the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation an annual report on its research and funding. The report would list each funding source and the specific amount received during the preceding year. Each report would be due by November 1 and cover funding received during the preceding year.